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Townsend police officer attacked as suspect tries to escape

TOWNSEND, MA (WHDH) - Officers are calling for support for a pre-arraignment lockup facility after a Townsend police officer was attacked by a suspect who tried to escape from a holding cell.

On Saturday, Townsend Police received a call to be on the lookout for a man who had walked away from a drug treatment center in another community and could possibly be a danger to himself.

Police located the man, a 21-year-old Tisbury man, and determined he had three arrest warrants for OUI with serious bodily injury and a protective order violation out of Tewksbury; and for assault and battery out of Tisbury.

The suspect was held without bail for three nights at the Townsend Police Dept., due to the holiday weekend.

According to police, the suspect complained of various ailments during the weekend, and was transported to two different hospitals and cleared each time.

Shortly after the second hospital visit, the suspect allegedly attacked Officer George Reidy, a 16-year Townsend Police veteran, and tried to strangle him.

The suspect allegedly grabbed the officer’s Taser and tried to use it on him, but was unable to operate it.

The suspect tried to escape, but was restrained and returned to his cell. He has been charged with escape from a municipal lockup, attempted murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery.

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